Apparatus for practicing bowling



Aug. 8, 1961 1.. BESTERDA APPARATUS FOR PRACTICING BOWLING Filed Dec.29, 1959 w/ a W G V H 1 G I 1 F -K IJI i 0 4% I fll l1] 7 0 w z 2 2 r%wm Kl 2 v Attom Ev 2,994,969 APPARATUS FOR PRACTICING BOWLING LouisBesterda, 265 Georgia Ave., Melrose Park, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. FiledDec. 29, 1959, Ser. No. 862,557 4 Claims. (Cl. 35-29) This inventionrelates generally to apparatus for practicing bowling and moreparticularly to the use of such apparatus for the instruction andtraining of bowlers in acquiring and perfecting the correct form to beused while engaging in such activity.

The invention has as an object to provide a simple and reliableapparatus which may be placed on the floor at any convenient locationwhere one desires to practice bowling and thereby form the correct habitof movement for engaging in such activity.

A further object of my invention is to provide a simple and reliableapparatus which will enable the user thereof to practice bowling withoutincurring the expense or inconvenience of travelling to the bowlingalley.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a simple apparatuswhich will enable the user thereof to practice bowling without the useof a ball, and thereby acquire skill and perfection in such activity.

A further object of my invention is to provide a reliable apparatuswhich teaches the user thereof the exact instant for releasing thebowling ball.

A further object of my invention is to provide a simple apparatus whichteaches the user thereof the exact position along the alley forreleasing the ball.

A further object is to provide means for adjusting the training deviceof my apparatus to the individual needs and peculiarities of eachbowler.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be readily apparent asit is better understood from the following description, which whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings illustratepreferred embodiments thereof.

The foregoing objects are accomplished by placing the followingdescribed elements in combination: an adjustable foldable screensupported on a stand or other means, on which is reproduced thesimulation of a bowling alley, showing the pins, the gutters, the foulline and the longitudinal boards, together with means for holding thescreen in an extended position when in use and in a rolled position whennot in use, and a training device adapted to be detachable and movablymounted to the said screen so that it may be positioned at any se lectedpoint along the width of the simulated bowling alley, said trainingdevice protruding therefrom so as to permit the free swinging of thehand therethrough without same coming in contact with the screen, andhaving an adjustable pivoted swingable rod tobe actuated by the movementof the hand passing through the said training device.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of myinvention, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the simulated bowling alley andthe training device used in connection therewith;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the training device;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the same;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 44 of FIG. 2,looking in the direction of the arrows, and showing the device fitted onthe cross member of the screen;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a portion of the training device, and

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the invention and inwhich magnetic attaching means is employed.

States atent 1 indicates an upright or support for carrying the screen 2on which is printed or otherwise reproduced the simulation of a bowlingalley. This simulation or reproduction includes the pins 3, flooring 4,foul line 5, and such other elements as may be necessary to faithfullyreproduce the alley on the screen.

The screen 2 may be supported on upright 1 in various ways and thesupporting means includes an upper cross member 6 and a bottom crossmember 7, the latter being preferably, but not necessarily, cylindricaland hollow to thereby accommodate the screen 2 when in its rolled orstored condition.

The training device is adapted to be detachably and movably attached tothe lower cross member 7 so that it may be positioned at any selectedpoint along the length of said member. In the form shown in FIGURES 1 to5, inclusive, it includes a pair of attaching members in the form ofsplit sleeves and composed of springy material so that they can besprung on and will resiliently grip the cross member 7. One of thesesleeves is indicated at 9 and the other at 10 and they may be telescoped to a desired extent to thereby bring the frame arms 13 and 19closer together or farther apart. The pin shown at 15 provided on thesleeve 10 is guided in a slot 12 in sleeve 9 and it can be used to holdthe two sleeves together, but permit of their axial adjustment. Rod 13forming part of the frame extends from sleeve 10; it is flattened at oneend as shown at 14 to receive the clevis 15 provided on the end of theswinging rod 16. 17 is the pivot pin and the rod 16 is biased to itsclosed position by the torsional spring 18. Rod 19 is the stop member ofthe frame and it has a bent end 20 against which the pivoted rod '16abuts when in its closed position. Set screws 21 may be used to hold thesleeves,

in adjusted positions and also serve to keep the device from slidingalong the length of the cross member 10.

In FIG. 6 the magnets 25 fasten frame members 23, 24 to cross member 7or other support. Pivoted rod '26 is secured by pin 27 to member 23.Both members 23 and 24 may have protective rubber tips 29, 30 andsimilar rubber tips 22 are shown in FIG. 2.

From the foregoing description the use of my apparatus for practicingbowling will be readily apparent for those skilled in such activity.However, for those persons who are not so skilled the followingexplanation is offered. In making use of my novel apparatus I first openthe screen 2 on which is reproduced the simulated bowling alley as shownin FIG. 1. The screen is attached to a support 1 which rests on thefloor, or alternately may be,

hung from the wall. The position of the foul line shown on the screen isadjusted vertically for each bowler, so that the imaginary ball isreleased by the bowler just in back of this line. Therefore, for a tallperson the screen must be raised to a greater height than that used by ashort person. With experience and use of my novel apparatus the properposition of the screen will become readily apparent to the user.

I next fasten the training device to the cross member 7 and then,position the same along the cross member 7v atthe approximate locationalong the bowling alley where the ball is to be released. This locationwill, of course, vary with each individual bowler; for example, a bowlerwho throws the ball with his left hand will position-the training deviceon the left side of the'screen, whereas a person who uses his right handfor throwing the bowling. ball will position the training device on theright side of-s.

tion to the screen must be determined experimentally for each individualbowler, but the position thereof will become readily apparent afterusing my novel device and practicing at a regulation bowling alley.Having now determined the position of the training device in relation tothe simulated bowling alley, the set-screws 21 are tightened to holdsame in its approximate proper position.

As can be seen from FIGURES 2 and 6, the training device consists of ametal frame having projecting arms 13 and 19 connected together byswinging rod 16, the frame protruding out from the screen so that as thehand swings through the frame it will not come in contact therewithvSwinging rod 16, normally closed, is made to swing about a pivot 17against a torsion spring 18 as the hand in its upward movement comes incontact therewith. The size of the opening between the projecting arms13 and 19 can be adjusted by sliding the sleeve 9 into sleeve 10,thereby bringing projecting arm 13 closer to, or further away from,projecting arm 19. Greatest accuracy will be obtained from the use of mynovel device when the opening 16 is just large enough to permit the handto pass therethrough without touching the sides of the projecting arms13 or 19. However, for the inexperienced bowler a wider opening shouldbe used until greater skill is achieved in the use of my novelpracticing device. The final adjustment of the opening between theprojecting arms 13 and 19 is made by adjustment of screws 11 and 21.

FIG. 6 of the drawing indicates an alternate means for attaching thetraining device to the bottom cross member 7. Each frame arm 23 and 24has its individual magnet 25 so that it may be positioned at anyselected point along the length of the cross member 7; also, the framearms 23 and 24 may be positioned in relation to the other, so that thespace between them is closer together or further apart. Protectiverubber tips 29 and 30' may be fastened to the frame arms 23 and 24 toprotect against injury to the bowler.

Obviously, other means may be employed to support the training device;for example, the training device may be supported on a stand which restson the floor, and which is separate and apart from the screen or thebottom cross member 7.

To practice bowling with the use of my apparatus the user first assumesthe position back of the foul line that he would take if he were at aregulation bowling alley. As he moves forward his bowling arm is to therear, holding the imaginary ball. Just prior to reaching the trainingdevice he swings his arm forward in the identical manner that he woulduse if he had a bowling ball in his hand. As his arm swings up torelease the imaginary ball it comes in contact with swinging rod 16, theforce thereof causing the rod to pivot about the pin against the torsionspring 18. When the hand touches the swing rod 16 this is the signal forthe bowler to release the imaginary ball. If all adjustments areproperly made as herein provided the ball should be positioned on thealley just in front of the foul line at the proper position of thealley, so as to knock down all of the pins on the one roll.

My novel practice device is designed to teach the user at just whichinstant to release the ball and the position along the alley where theball should be released. After the movement ofv the legs and arms havebeen practiced in the manner above described, it will be obvious thatthe coordination of all parts of the body will become auto-' matic andthe bowler will obtain a degree of accuracy which will graduallyapproach perfection.

Although I have shown and described embodiments of my invention, I donot desire to be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed hereinand I intend in 2,994,969 r A A H 4 the appended claims to cover allmodifications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of myinvention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is:

1. A training device comprising a frame member, generally rectangular inshape, a bottom screen support member, means for supporting said framemember to the bottom screen support member, the frame member beingadjustable at any selected point along the bottom screen support, saidtraining device having outwardly extending arms at each end thereofconnected by a swinging rod member pivotal about one arm against aspring capable of being actuated by the upward movement of the hand ofthe bowler as same come in contact with the swinging rod member, thesize of this opening between the arms adapted to be adjustable.

2. A device for the practice of bowling comprising a screen havingreproduced thereon the simulation of a bowling alley, means forsupporting the screen in an extended position, a training devicecomprising a frame member, generally rectangular in shape, adapted to beadjustable at any selected point along the bottom of the screen, saidtraining device being in front of the screen and having outwardlyextending arms at each end thereof connected by a swinging rod memberpivotal about one of the said arms against a spring capable of beingactuated by the upward movement of the hand of the bowler as same comesin contact with the swinging rod member, the size of the opening betweenthe arms of the said training device adapted to be adjustable.

3. A practice bowling device comprising a screen on which is reproduceda simulation of a bowling alley, means for supporting the same in anextended position and adaptable to be adjustable in an upand-downposition, a training device comprising a frame member, generallyrectangular in shape, adapted to be adjustable at any selected pointalong the bottom of the screen, said training device being positioned infront of the screen and having outwardly extending arms at each endthereof, connected by a swinging rod member pivotal about one of thesaid arms against a spring capable of being actuated by the upwardmovement of the hand of the bowler as same comes in contact with theswinging rod member, the distance between the arms of the trainingdevice adapted to be adjustable.

, 4. A practice bowling device comprising a screen on which isreproduced a simulation of a bowling alley, means for supporting thescreen at its top and bottom, said bottom support being substantiallycylindrical and hollow for accommodating the screen when in a rolledcondition, means for adjusting said screen in a vertical position, atraining device comprising a frame member, generally rectangular inshape adapted to be fastened to the bottom screen support and detachablyand movably positioned at any selected location along the length of thebottom screen support, said training device having outwardly extendingarms at each end thereof, connected by a swinging rod member pivotalabout one arm against a torsional spring actuated by the upward movementof the hand of the bowler as same comes in contact with the swinging rodmember, the size of the opening between the outwardly extending armsadapted to be adjustable.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,284,828 Walby Nov. 12, 1918 1,410,811 Lewis Mar. 28, 1922 2,494,000Robertson Ian. 10, 1950 2,591,686 Du Mais et a1. Apr. 8, 1952

